Aspen Institute Arts Program

The Aspen Institute Arts Program draws upon the Institute’s long-established convening power, and its well-known association with ideas, values and leadership to support and invigorate the role of arts and culture in public life. The Arts Program brings together artists, advocates, educators, foundations, government officials, and others to exchange ideas and develop policies and programs that strengthen the reciprocal relationship between the arts and society.

Welcome to New Arts Program Executive Director

On July 30th, Erika Mallin joined the Aspen Institute as Executive Director of the Arts Program. Mallin succeeds Damian Woetzel, who concluded his seven-year term as Director of the Arts Program this June and became President of The Juilliard School.Mallin was most recently Executive Director of New York City’s Signature Theatre. During her decade-long tenure, Mallin led Signature’s expansion to the Frank Gehry-designed Pershing Square Signature Center, the largest new theater center built in the city in nearly 50 years. In 2014, Signature became the first New York City theater company to win the Regional Theater Tony Award.Prior to joining Signature, Mallin piloted New York’s first-ever subsidized ticket program as Director of Development at Atlantic Theatre Company, in an effort to make theater accessible to new and diverse audiences. At Signature she expanded the program, doubled the funding and analyzed the impact on attracting underserved audiences. To date, the program has served over one million people and has become a national model. Mallin has also worked in New York City government and as a journalist reporting on local politics and economic development.This is a very exciting time for the Institute and the Arts Program. Mallin is thrilled to collaborate with the Arts Committee, the Arts Circle and coworkers to champion and expand the role of arts and culture in public life. Welcome, Erika, and please stay tuned for the thoughtful programming and conversations she has in store!